Classic Poem

The Storie at large. I N Italie (neare to the river of Poo) there dwelled a noble man of great reputation, called the Lord de Bologna, who (besides his speciall credite with his prince, his desiered companie among the noble men, his uncontrouled sway both in court and countrie, the great possessions, inheritaunces, revenues, annuities, and other commodities he had to maintaine his honourable calling, to worke his chiefest comfort) had by the lady Katherine his wife a toward yong gentleman to his sonne, called Petro de Bologna, and also a daughter, whose name was Giletta, at that time unmatcht both for vertue, beautie, and shape.

Petro de Bologna, having overrun ninetene or twentie yeares (still overlookt with the counselling eyes of his naturall parents, assured friends, and carefull tutors) became not now only desierous of more libertie, but wonne with the intising pleasure of the court, and finding in him self sufficient cause of desart, he bent him selfe wholy to professe the exercises of a perfect courtier; wherein in short time he so greatly profited, as that he was reputed to be one of the gallantest gentlemen in all Italie. Petro de Bologna (attaining this estimation) lived awhile unwitcht with the alluring beauties of brave ladies; yet on the souden, subjected with the sight of fayre Juliet (a noble mans daughter of the sayd countrie) and joyning her excellent shape with the report of her matchlesse vertue, he foorthwith transformed his late liking unto such faythful love, as secretly he vowed that neyther change nor chaunce should (whiles life lasted) remove his affection; and to make his thraldome knowne, by continuall service he craved reward. Maistresse Juliet, finding his wordes in workes, and perceiving by the often alteration of his colour what humour most of all fead him (joyning the assured knowledge of his loyall love with other his desarts) presently, in thought, she gave consent to love; so that afterward she used towardes Petro de Bologna what honest courtesie she coulde. The newes of this love was soudenly spread throughout the whole court, and in the end it came unto their parents eares, who, waying the equalitie of the match, gave willingly consent unto that these two lovers most desiered. And to exile all jealous mistrust that lingring might breede, the marriage day was in great haste appointed.
To honour which a worlde of people resorted unto the Lord de Bolognas castle; for the intertainment of whiche guestes, there neither wanted costly cheare, curious shewes, or pleasaunt devises, that eyther money, friendship or cunning might compasse. And to be short, divers gentlemen that were the bridegromes companions (the more to honour the marriage) presented him one night with a maske, so curiously set soorth as it yealded a singular delight unto all the beholders. Among the which maskers ther was one Roberto Rinaldo (a gentleman of better qualities and shape then either of byrth or living) made choice to maske maistresse Giletta the bridegromes sister. But on the souden he was so surprised with her passing beautie, as he fared as one whose senses had forgone their dutifull office, he ofte forgot to use due reverence unto his maistresse. Sometimes he masked without measure, and many times, when the rest presented their ladies with voluntarie prattle, he used silence. Thus continually visited with passionate fits (of the beholders marked, of his maistresse misliked) time in the ende forced him and the rest from dauncing; whiche done, the maskers were invited unto a costly banquet, who, (marching with their ladies) with manly force encountred with many a monster, whose grose bodies were transformed into a sugred substance. The maskers nowe (on easie request) did off their visardes, as wel to make them selves knowne unto their maistresses, to manifest their zeale towardes the lorde of the house, the bridegrome and his faire bride, as to shew their desire to delight the whole companie. Rinaldo (greatly ashamed of his disordered masking) with blushing cheekes oftentimes very earnestly behelde faire Giletta. Maistresse Giletta, seeing him in these passions, and knowing his wonted audacitie, was assured somewhat was amisse with him, so that, to be better acquainted with his malladie, with a prettie smyle she used these speaches.
Quoth she: Friend Rinaldo, I suppose your visard did you great wrong this night, for that by your unperfect sight you mistooke your choice, so that, wroth with your fortunes, or angrie with poore Giletta, she hath noted a number of souden alterations in you: but if eyther be the cause, remove your choler, and comfort your selfe, that you tempered your toung so well, as she knoweth none of your secretes.
Rinaldo, glad of this opportunitie, answered: My sovereine maistresse, in very deede, I greatly mistooke my choice: for wheras I had thought and determined to have made it so indifferent, as I might have used my tongue at will and pleasure, I confesse it fel out so unegal, as I (forst) must yeald unworthy to be your slave; so that musing on this mistaking, I not only masked mute, but I forgot to present you with my willing service.
Rinaldo being newely entered into his answere, the revels broke up, and every man went unto his rest; so that he was forced to discontinue his suite, and bid his maistresse fare well: which reverently done, he foorthwith went into hischamber, and so to bed; but his sleepe he divided on those whose heades were free from fancies: for he (God wot) one while, matching his base estate with her highe calling, sawe an impossibilitie of favour. Anone, joyning her curteous disposition with the force of love, was fed with slender hope. Thus hanging betwene hap and harme, the more he strived the more he was measht in the nettes of restlesse fancie. But in the end resolved to prosecute his suit, he soudenly caused his man to light a candle, and then to proffer his service, to paint his sorrowes, and to use excuse for his late silence, he invented these verses following.